asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with water schemes in the Islands of Barra, North Uist and Harris.

I regret that a start has not yet been made with these schemes. The county council are dissatisfied with the rate of grant recently offered to them.

Since the offer of a grant was only 40 per cent., whereas we were assured it could be 85 per cent. or even more at the passing of the Act, can some steps be taken to provide a higher percentage?

Since that date equalisation grants have been provided, and this authority has benefited very much from these grants.

Does my hon. Friend not agree that it is deplorable that equalisation grants were not provided earlier?